After the Buffalo Sabres fired Lindy Ruff during the 2012-13 season, they struggled to find an adequate replacement for head coach. The team went to Ron Rolston, who was the interim head coach for the remainder of that season then named the permanent head coach in the offseason. As obvious as it seemed that he should be a candidate, Botterill and the Sabres didn't even hold an interview with Tocchet. Meanwhile, the Sabres struggled under Housley and had only 138 points total in two seasons. The Sabres once again continued the coaching carousel and fired Housley after his second season, and were on the hunt again for a new head coach.